Local schools will have an opportunity to apply for a share of $400 million under the latest round of the Trade Training Centres (TTCs) in schools program.
Round Five will be split into two phases of $200 million. Phase 1 will open on November 30, 2012 and Phase 2 will open in August 2013.
The Gillard Government is providing $2.5 billion from 2008 to 2018 to give secondary students in years 9 to 12 the opportunity to access trade training facilities.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local schools to benefit from industry standard trade training infrastructure and equipment,” Mr O’Connor said.
“We have already invested $1.6 billion in the TTC program since 2008 and students at more than 620 schools across Australia are already benefitting from completed TTCs, and are currently gaining valuable trade skills.
“Earlier this year, I had the great honour to officially open the Brimbank Trade Training Centre in my electorate in Delahay. The Brimbank TTC received $5.3 million from the Gillard Government as part of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program.
“This fantastic facility is not only benefiting students from Copperfield College, where the Brimbank TTC is based. It’s also delivering for students from Keilor Downs Secondary College, Marian College and Taylors Lakes Secondary College,” said Mr O’Connor.
Mr Shorten said that TTCs played an important role in creating a link between schools, students, industry and local businesses.
“The program will help support students to stay in school and get a qualification as well as address skills shortages in traditional trades and other occupations,” Mr Shorten said.
“The latest TTC progress report clearly shows these centres are being built on time and are achieving remarkable results for students. In 2011, there were more than 9,100 enrolments at TTCs in nationally recognised trade qualifications. This is an excellent result so early in the operational phase of the program.
“Students in my electorate of Maribyrnong are benefiting from the $13 million invested by the Gillard Government for the establishment of the Western Access Trade Training Centre and support for the CRC Trade Training Centres. These TTCs allow Maribyrnong students access to high quality vocational education and offer a pathway into a trade or vocation as well as helping improve Year 12 retention rates,” said Mr Shorten.
The top five areas of enrolment in TTCs for 2011 were:
- Mechanical and industrial engineering and technology,
- Food and hospitality,
- Building,
- Automotive engineering and technology,
- Agriculture.
“I encourage interested schools to contact their Education Authority for further information on proposals for Round Five,” said Mr O’Connor.
“The continued support by schools, education authorities, local communities and local industry demonstrates how effective strong partnership arrangements can be in delivering trade training facilities to students, so that they can get the best possible start in their chosen careers.”
Labor’s commitment to investing in skills and training stands in sharp contrast to the Liberal Baillieu Government and its extreme decision to rip $300 million from Victoria’s TAFE sector.
For more information visit: www.tradetrainingcentres.deewr.gov.au
Media contacts:
Ms Stacey Nguyen (Mr O’Connor’s office): (02) 6277 7667
Mr Kieran Barns-Jenkins (Mr Shorten’s office): (03) 9326 1300
Ms Jayne Edwards (Mr Shorten’s office): 0410 455 737
